1/29 Jesus and Passover Lamb

Passover Lamb (Correlation between Old and New Testaments) -- Fr. Marvin Deutsch, M.M.

The feast of the Passover was central to the Jewish faith. Each family sacrificed a lamb, the blood of which was painted on the door posts. The Angel of death Passed over these homes but not over the homes of the Egyptians. All the first born of the Egyptians died. The Jews were saved from the slavery of Egypt. The Jews renewed this event once every year....

When Jesus was 40 days old, he was brought to the temple to be bought back. All the first born had to be bought back in this way. It was a continual reminder of the importance of the Passover feast. (Luke 2:22)

The Jews celebrated this feast every year. It was during this celebration that Jesus when 12 years old, stays behind in the temple to declare his purpose. (Luke 2:41-52)

It is also central to the Christian Faith. Jesus is the New Passover.

He had to die on the eve of the Passover feast. He had to die in Jerusalem. He died while the lambs were being prepared for the feast. He was to become the New Lamb.

Jesus anticipated the feast of the Passover by celebrating it with his apostles on Thursday evening rather than on Friday evening.

Jesus is our Passover Lamb. By his blood we are saved from the Angel of death -eternal damnation in hell. We are saved from the slavery of sin.

We celebrate our Passover not only during Holy Week but every time we offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. At the consecration, the body and blood of Christ becomes present and is offered to the Father for us.

Read Exodus 12: 1-14

Luke 22:7; 14-20

When the day ofthe Feast ofthe Unleavened Bread arrived, the day for sacrificing the Passover lamb, he sent out Peter and John, instructing them, "Go make preparations for us to eat the Passover... When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, "1 have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink ofthe fruit ofthe vine until the kingdom ofGod comes." Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them saying, "This is my body which will be given for you; do this in memory ofme." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Jesus becomes the new Lamb which is continually offered for us

John 1:29 -the Testimony ofJohn the Baptist"

Behold the Lamb ofGod who takes away the sin ofthe world

Revelation 7:13

Then one ofthe elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from? I said to him, "My Lord, you are the one who knows." He said to me, "These are the ones who have survived the time ofgreat distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood ofthe Lamb. "

Brothers and Sisters,

This week. Fr. Marvin Deutsch will lead us in the discussion of the Passover lab in the book of Exodus. How this passover lamb relates to Jesus who is the lamb of God.

Exodus 12, The Lord commend the whole Israel how to prepare the lamb for sacrifice in order to avoid the Angle of death. God saved Israeli and free them from Egypt.

Gospel of John 1:12, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." God sent his own son to save us from our sin. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice without blemish, has fulfill God's promise, died for us. He is the lamb for us to offer to the Lord our God.

Let us praise the Lord or God. As Christ our Passover lamb, Jesus, has taken away the sin for us. Hallelujah.

in Christ,
Dan

1/22 Genesis 20

Brothers and Sisters,
This week, we are continuing with the Chapter 20.

The story described in chapter 20 may happened well before chapter 18 that God promised Abraham/Sara a son. Apparently, whether the biblical events are in chronological order is not focus for the author.

The story takes us to the time when Abraham settled in Gerar. At the time, Abimelech who was the king of Gerar, laid eyes on Sara and took her. From the story, we realized how God is protecting his children even in such an desperate situation. The story also showed how weak Abraham is for he lie to Abimelech just to survive. Let's be honest, we probably all do when push comes to the shelf. However, God loves us regardless our sin. As long as we trust in him, God will lead our way out of trouble.

Once again, the author of Genesis uses Hagar to show God's mercy and takes care of his people. By sending messenger to show the well to Hagar, God kept his promise and never abandon us.

The highlight of part of story is God's test on Abraham. By asking Issac for the sacrifice, God put the most difficult test to his servant. Arguable, this is probably even harsher than the test for Job. How can God ask Issac for the sacrifice for Thy had just given him to me, Abraham must have been thinking back and forth. Apparently, Abraham overcome the struggle and decided obeying God's commend as a good servant. As a result, not only Abraham passed God's test, God reward him to be the father of great nation.

Often time, we are struggling and felt mistreated. How are we able to see through God's test and be his good servant. May God give us wisdom and courage to face whatever challenge he impose on us. And let us be an obeying servant.

in Christ,
Dan

1/15 Genesis 18

Brothers and Sisters,
This week, we are starting with the book of Genesis, chapter 18.

As Sarah laughed to herself not believing in what is going to happen, God spoke

"Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Shall I really bear a child, old as I am? Is anything too marvelous for the LORD to do? At the appointed time, about this time next year, I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son."

Nothing is impossible to God. For human is not possible, everything is possible to God. We are to learn obeying God's call. Although they might seem to be ridiculous and impossible to us.

The story turned 180 degree. We come to see how merciful God is. Abraham's repeating challenge to God's intended plan for the people in Sodom and Gomorrah. Arguable Abraham is not obeying God's will. Deep down, this passage shows the kindness of our God. He is willing to spare the whole city for one single good person.

Let's praise to Lord our God for he is kind and merciful.

in Christ,
Dan

Thanks from SJC Parish

1/8 Genesis 15

Happy New Year Brothers and Sisters,
We will start our 2010 Bible Study with Genesis Chapter 15


Genesis Chapter 15
The promises in the covenant

Abraham's faith in God's promises was regarded as an act of righteousness. Simply to say, Abraham expressed the "right" attitude of man toward God. That is trusting God with all your mind and all your hart. In return, God credited this to Abraham by giving him title to the fulfillment of God's promises.

This is a very important verse. We cannot please God because of our own efforts. We can only please God if we trust him. Then God made a covenant with Abraham to give the land to his descendants. This covenant is different from other covenants. As a covenant, someone on each side made promises. But in this one, only God made promises. Abraham did not make any promises. Abram just had to trust God. God would do everything else.

Genesis Chapter 16
God has heard

Three times we read that the angel of the Lord spoke to Hagar. It shows that God really cared about Hagar. Everything that he said was really important. God was sending her back to Sarai. That would be difficult for Hagar. She needed to receive confidence from God that it was right. God’s promise about many *descendants would encourage her. This was a wonderful promise for a woman who was just a slave.

Genesis Chapter 17
The covenant

This chapter is very important. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. God also changed his wife’s name from Sarai to Sarah. God told Abraham more about his promises. God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. So Abraham would not only be the father of just one nation! Abraham was already living in the country that God promised to him. God added that he had promised ‘the whole country’ to Abraham. God told Abraham that there would be kings in his family. And God told him that Sarah, his old wife, would be the mother of his child. God said that this covenant will last always.
In two ways, God showed clearly that he had made the covenant. He gave new names to Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah). And he ordered the male members of their family to receive circumcision. That would show that they were joining into the *covenant with God.

God Bless

Happy New Year 2010

12/11 - "Advent and How Jesus Showed He was the Son of God"

Dear Friends and Families,

Do you noticed that the color in churches already changed to purple and the candles are lighted, but not completely? Do you know Advent is already here? What does that mean to us?

This Friday, Fr. Marvin is going to let us understand "Advent and How Jesus Showed He was the Son of God". Please join us and study with Fr. Marvin about Advent. Let's be prepared for our Holy Christmas.

Advent

• 將臨期 - 是歡慶耶穌聖誕前的準備期與等待期，亦可算是教會的新年。
  
  • 拉丁文Adventus意指即將到來，意義上除了古代希伯來人等待彌賽亞(救主)到來之外.
  • 另也包括基督徒等待耶穌的再次降臨。
• 將臨期起自聖誕節前四週，由最接近11月30日之主日算起直到聖誕節。
  
  • 西方基督教教會曆一年始於將臨期的第一主日（東正教教會曆一年則始於9月1日。）
• 將臨期的節慶，主要為羅馬天主教、聖公宗和信義宗所緊守。
  
  • 整個將臨期一般採用的禮儀顏色是紫色或藍色。
  • 但降臨第三主日，俗稱「喜樂主日」，可用粉紅色。
  • 教會都會在將臨期放一個花環，裡面有三枝紫色的蠟燭、一枝粉紅色的蠟燭以及一枝白蠟燭，叫作將臨花環，每一主日燃點一枝蠟燭。

12/4 Genesis 10

Dear Friends and Families,

On this Friday, we are going to discuss Genesis 10 and 11. Vincent will lead for the discussion. Please see your meeting time and location details on the left box.

See you all on Friday and God Bless you always.

11/27 - Happy Thanksgiving Holiday

No meeting on Thanksgiving weekend.

Wish all you have a Happy and Thankful Thanksgiving Holiday.

11/20 Sharing: Meeting with Angels and What we thank for

Dear Friends and Families,

Next week is Thanksgiving Holiday, Let's get together think about and share what we thank for before the thanksgiving day. In the beginning of today's sharing, Sherry will share her experiences with angels. Please bring your own favorite snacks too.

See you all tonight and God Bless.

11/13 - Genesis Chapter 5 ~ 9

This week, Daniel will lead us for Genesis Chapter 5 and beyond. Please read his reflection for discussion.

Genesis Chapter 5 to Chapter 9
There are three aspects to this section

1. The long life spans attributed to these ten antediluvian patriarchs have a symbolic rather than a historical value.
2. The prospective of “life span”
3. The covenant (differs from “new covenant”)

The long life spans
The earth might be a lot older than Genesis seems to show. Many people have that belief. However, scientists are not at all certain how old the earth is. It does not matter if days and years were a different length then. We know that God made the earth. And he made everything in it. If time was different then, it does not make God less wonderful. And it does not make man less wicked. We trust God.

At that time, people lived longer. Life was healthier. There were not so many illnesses.

5: 23-24, The whole lifetime of Enoch was three hundred and sixty-five years. Then Enoch walked with God, and he was no longer here, for God took him
Jude 14-15: Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied also about them when he said, "Behold, the Lord has come with his countless holy ones to execute judgment on all and to convict everyone for all the godless deeds that they committed and for all the harsh words godless sinners have uttered against him.

Enoch walked with God clearly implies that he did not die, but like Elijah was taken alive to God's abode.

120 years
There might have been two meanings:

1. Man would live only about 120 years
2. God would send that flood after 120 years

Noah the Ark and the Covenant
6:4, At that time the Nephilim appeared on earth (as well as later), after the sons of heaven had intercourse with the daughters of man, who bore them sons.
Some interpret as “Angle had intercourse with human”

Great Flood:
Both biblical sources go back ultimately to an ancient Mesopotamian story of a great flood, preserved in the eleventh tablet of the Gilgamesh Epic. The latter account, in some respects remarkably similar to the biblical account, is in others very different from it.

7:2-3, Of every clean animal, take with you seven pairs, a male and its mate; and of the unclean animals, one pair, a male and its mate; likewise, of every clean bird of the air, seven pairs, a male and a female, and of all the unclean birds, one pair, a male and a female
‘Clean animals’. God gave strict rules about which animals people could *sacrifice. And he was strict about which animals they could eat. Those animals were called ‘clean animals’. But there were other animals that people must not *sacrifice. And they should not eat these animals. These animals were called ‘*unclean animals’.

7:4, forty days and forty nights
may just mean a long time not exact how long the rain lasted.

Size of the Ark:
The dimensions of Noah's ark were approximately 440 x 73 x 44 feet, a foot and a half to the cubit. The ark of the Babylonian flood story was an exact cube, 120 cubits in length, width and height.
A *cubit is a measurement that people used then. It is equal to 18 inches (about 45 centimetres).

9: 17, God told Noah: "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all mortal creatures that are on earth."

God had made an agreement (*covenant) with Noah before the flood. He told Noah about it again here, because it was very important. God included all *creatures in the agreement. People must take care of God’s earth and God’s *creatures.

11/6 - Genesis 4 : Why are you so resentful and crestfallen?

Dear Friends and Families,

Last week we already started our Genesis journey. Thanks Arthur led us and let us understand lots of truth behind the story.

This week Sherry is going to lead us continue on this journey starting from Chapter 4 - Why are you so resentful and crestfallen? Please find bible on-line links for your reference.

• 創世紀(中文): http://www.ccreadbible.org/Chinese%20Bible/backup/Old%20Testament/The%20Pentateuch/Genesis125
• Genesis(English) : http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/index.shtml#genesis

Please visit our blog at http://cornerstone-bible-study.blogspot.com for meeting information (on the top left side now).

We still have fewer slots for lead and snacks sharing. Please sign up at
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ArWdkUODnPF0cFpvR0pqTk9GbzdiZ012alhLa2d4R3c&hl=en

Christmas is coming soon after Thanksgiving, please feel free to share your idea, if you like to have a Christmas party for kids and family. If yes, we properly need to start think about it now.

God Bless.

10/30 - Genesis 1:1 - The Creation Story

Dear Friends and Families,

Since we are going to study Genesis, Fr. Marvin Deustch gave us a very nice special talk about how to understand the Bible's literary forms (Please see his homily below) . It it very important to us in Bible study, fundamentalists believe everything is literal. But we need to clear understand that there are different kinds of literary forms:

• language of appearances - such as: The World of The Hebrews (see figure below)
  
• the parables - The "parable" is short and takes place in a familiar situation
• uses of allegory (story) - The "allegory" is lengthy and contains a large number of characters.
• history (history novel)
• poetry

Please keep this in our mind always when we study Genesis.

This week, we are going to start our journey of Genesis. Arthur is going to lead us. Please see our meeting information on the right.

See you all and God Bless.

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The Creation Story
Genesis 1:1-19 - 5th Monday in Ordinary Time
Fr. Marvin Deutsch, M.M. Feb.5, 2007

Friends in Christ,

As we all know, there is a great conflict going on in our country today about the origin of the world , how all living things came about, including ourselves, the highest of all earthly creatures. There are many in our materialistic, secular world today who deny there is a supreme being who had anything to do with it, but rather it all happened by natural selection, the survival of the fittest etc. Some people wanted to insert into the school textbooks that evolution was only a theory and intelligent design should be taught as an alternative. This idea was thrown out by a judge in a state supreme court who claimed he did all the research on the subject and to teach creationism in our public schools was a violation of the separation of Church and State.

One of the problems that predominates today is the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis which totally contradicts science. So, do Catholics have to believe for example, that the universe was created in 7 days, or that the earth was created before the sun , or the stars were placed like lamps in the sky? So very briefly, let's take a look at what the Bible is actually teaching. First of all, the book of Genesis contains many religious teachings of basic importance. In the reading for today's mass, Genesis 1:1~9, a most important teaching is contained in the very first sentence. "In the beginning (when) God created Heaven and earth..." This sentence presupposes that God existed before his creation, that he was totally distinct and transcendent, that he is a pure spirit who had no beginning. It also implies that he created all things from nothing.

The language of Genesis is very simple, like someone was telling a story to children - the dome which was the sky, how light came about, how dry land was formed , how the stars were placed like lamps in the dome. I don't think very many would accept this as a scientific teaching. So how do we explain it? protecting our principles that God did it all? Actually the answer is not complicated. The author, or the authors of Genesis used the language of appearances; they spoke the way things looked. For example, If anyone of us would walk outside and want to explain the creation of what we saw out there , we most likely, especially if we were talking to uneducated people, would use the language of appearances. The sky looks like a blue dome. The sun appears to be traveling around the earth. If fact, we even talk about sunrise and sunset, when the sun is not rising or setting at all. It is the earth, which is spinning on its axis causing the change of time. But even in our newspapers, the words sunrise and sunset are the ordinary ways of speaking and writing. This does not contradict science. It is the language of appearances.

In fact, the opposite is true; the more we get into science, the more we understand that the fantastic order and minuteness of the interchange in nature is so marvelous that it is totally impossible that this could happen without a supreme intelligence. What science is doing is probing the mind of God. Almost every day there is something in the news about the danger to the planet of global warming. With CO2gas being trapped in the atmosphere, the earth is warming up. How much? In the last 50 - 100 years, it has gone up 1 or 1 and a half degrees. The worry is, that in the next 50 years, it may go up 3 or more degrees causing catastrophic changes in the atmosphere, which would last for hundreds of years. Doesn't that tell us something about how the earth is so finely turned , that even altering the temperature a single degree causes weather changes that disrupt the order in nature so necessary to our well being.

Some years ago I was reading an interview of an English scientist who was a specialist in the study of enzymes. He said that they have discovered over 700 enzymes in the human body, which regulate everything from the heart beating, the digestive process, producing cholesterol and you name it. He said that for this to happen by chance would be like trying to roll an unloaded dice and have it come with the same number a thousand times in a row. He said he did not believe in a personal god who cares about us, but he did believe in a supreme intelligence because without intelligence the order, design and pure remarkableness and interdependence of nature would be totally impossible.

How about evolution? Does the Church deny this possibility? No it doesn't, but it does deny evolution without intelligence. Our famous teacher of yesteryear, J. Ryan Hughes, used to say - of course evolution is possible. It is just God using a longer brush. Then he would say, Write it down, man. You won't find that in the textbooks.

So today in our mass we begin reading from the book of Genesis, which will continue in our daily masses for a couple of weeks. This is not a book of science, but it is a book of truths, basic truths that tell us who created the world and all that is in it, and why we are in the human condition we are in - that is the result of sin. It tells us why we are here and to whom we owe everything that we have and all that we expect to be.

Have a good day and God bless you
Fr. Marvin Deutsch, M.M.

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Figure: The World of The Hebrews

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10/23 - All people should be able to recognize God from his creation

Dear Friends and Families,

Today, Fr. Marvin is going to give us a talk about "All people should be able to recognize God from his creation" from Chapter 1 of Paul's letter to the Romans. Please join us tonight at SJC school.

God Bless.

10/16 - James Chapter 5 - Don't be materialistic

Dear Friends and Families,

This week, we are going to finalize James - Don't be materialistic. Please reference the content at following links.

James Chapter 5 (雅各伯書)

Vincent will bring snacks and lead. See you all tonight.

God Bless.

10/9 - 天主拒絕驕傲人，卻賞賜恩寵於謙遜人

This week, we will discuss about James Chapter 4. Please read Daniel's reflection in the following before the discussion...

James Chapter 4 (雅各伯書)

There are three aspects that James tried to address in the chapter

1. The true source of conflict among Christian
   
2. Why prayer is unanswered
   
3. The correct behavior
   

Desires and Divisions
James addressed the concerns with the origin of conflicts in Christian community. By asking reader the true source of their quarrels, James explained the real cause of these quarrels was their own desires. They each wanted what please themselves instead of God. These are occasioned by love of the world, which means enmity with God.

Often time, we are envy for things not belonged to us. “You covet but do not posses. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war.” As we are focusing on the wrong things, conflicts occurred and prayers not answered. James clearly pointed out we are aiming wrongly. We become the lover of the world and make ourselves the enemy of God.

A common biblical image for the covenant between God and his people is the marriage bond. As we are drifting away from God’s will and focusing on our own desire, we are breaking our covenants with God. In the way, James called those who broke the covenant with Gad adulterers, specifically those Christians with conflicts.

Unanswered Prayers
“You do not possess because you do not ask. You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions”
Often time, prayer is not answered because we asked wrongly. Again, we are focusing on our own desire instead of God’s will.

The Correct Behavior
Be humble
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” God wants the happiness of all. However, the selfishness and pride prevents us from being happy. We must work with God in humility. “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.”

Draw near to God
“So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Do not Judge
“Whoever speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. “There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?”

Live by Faith not by Sight
“ you who say, Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town, spend a year there doing business, making profit--, you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow”
We are just like a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.

Daniel

10/2 - No meeting (SJC School Carnival weekend)

Dear Friends and Families,

This weekend is SJC School Carnival weekend. We do NOT have our regular study meeting on this Friday (10/2). If you like, please feel free to join their event. It is fun for all age kids. For detail, please click on image.



Wish all you have a nice weekend.

God Bless.

9/25 - Be wise: control your tongue!

雅各伯書 James - Chapter 3

Control your tongue!
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly, for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.

If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot's inclination wishes.

In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers.

Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.

Wisdom of God or Earthly Wisdom
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

Please see our meeting information on the right for meeting details.

God Bless.

9/18 - Our Holy Mother Mary - Fr. Marvin Deutsch

Dear Friends and Families,
Do you know that last Tuesday, Sept. 9th, was the Feast Day of the Nativity of Mary (Birth of Mary), Sept. 12, last Saturday, was Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary Day, this Monday, Sept. 14, was Triumph of the Cross, and Tuesday, Sept. 15, is Our Lady of Sorrows Day? Do you know what all of these about?

Do you remember Fr. Marvin Deutsch? He already came back from Minnesota to California recently.

This Friday, Sept. 18, we invited Fr. Marvin coming to our study meeting to talk about our Holy Mother Mary. Please feel free to invite your friends to join us. If you like to share snack in the end of meeting, please bring your favorite snack to share with others and kids.

God Bless.

9/11 - 不要以貌取人 & 沒有行為的信德是死的

This week we are going to look into James chapter 2. Two main subjects are

• 不要以貌取人
• 沒有行為的信德是死的

Following is the links for 雅各伯書 (James):

• http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/#james
• http://www.ccreadbible.org/Chinese%20Bible/backup/New%20Testament/Epistles/James

Please see our meeting information on right hand side block. For the coming event at SJC is listed here:

• SJC Feast Day Celebration
• 2009-09-13 (Sunday)
• 12:30 ~ 3:00 pm
• Location: Parish Community Center
• See link for details : http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/popup.php?&op=view&id=23522494&crd=sjcupca8us

God Bless.